Ellen Fernandes
About Ellen Fernandes
Ellen Fernandes is a co-founder of Banked, a fintech company that has established significant partnerships with major financial institutions. She has a background in art history and sustainability, and has held various leadership roles in innovation and strategy across multiple global cities.
Work at Banked
Ellen Fernandes serves as Co-Founder at Banked, a fintech company based in London, England. Since 2018, she has focused on special projects that enhance the value of the tech platform through design and brand. Under her leadership, Banked has secured significant distribution deals with major partners, including Bank of America, National Australia Bank, and FIS. Ellen has played a pivotal role in the company's growth, contributing to its strategic direction and operational success.
Education and Expertise
Ellen Fernandes has a strong academic background in art history and sustainability. She earned a BA in Art History, Critical and Cultural Theory from the University of Leeds from 1997 to 2000. She later obtained an MSc in Sustainability and Responsible Business Practice from the University of Bath between 2008 and 2010. Additionally, she completed an MA in Curating Contemporary Design at Kingston University in 2003. This diverse educational foundation supports her expertise in design and brand strategy within the fintech sector.
Previous Work Experience
Before co-founding Banked, Ellen Fernandes held several significant positions in the design and innovation sectors. She worked as Chief Innovation Officer at 10x Banking in London from 2016 to 2017. Prior to that, she served as Strategy Director at Wolff Olins from 2006 to 2009, where she operated in London, New York, and Dubai. Ellen also gained experience as a Service Designer at IDEO from 2003 to 2006, working in various locations including London, Munich, and Palo Alto.
Achievements in Funding and Team Building
Ellen Fernandes has been instrumental in securing $46.9 million in funding for Banked from prominent investors such as Citi and Insight. Her leadership extends to building and scaling high-performing teams across Europe, the US, and Australia. Ellen's deep understanding of the human experience informs her approach to addressing business challenges in new technology development, positioning her as a key figure in the fintech industry.